Founded 1925 President - MichaelMaurice AdamsSharland

www.devonbells.co.uk Devon Calls Nov 2016 Focus on Eggbuckland OFFICERS - an interview with the 6- champions of Devon President: Michael ADAMS President-Elect: hat contributed brothers could be Christine LEY Chairman: W towards Egg- found. Graham SHARLAND buckland first becom- Dave started learn- Vice Chairman: ing a team? Was there ing to ring in 1962, his James STEER a legacy of ringing at older brothers Roger Hon. Secretary: Margaret WHITE the tower? and Neil a few years Hon. Treasurer: There is a photographic later and Hilary was John BARNES record of an Eggbuck- recruited from the Web Master: land team ringing for choir in 1966. They Dr James KERSLAKE the silver jubilee of King were taught by the Publicity Officer Victoria TUCKER George V in 1935 and a late Frank Lee and Per- Devon Calls: 1929 copy of the Devon cy Butland. Editor: Colin ADAMS Association rules so we Since the early 70s Technical Eds.: think there has been a Dave has taken the Dr Colin BARNES Elinor D’ALBIAC long history of ringing Devon Major Final, Dunsford 1980 lead in teaching most Inside this issue at Eggbuckland. Howev- Left to right: of the Eggbuckland Focus on Eggbuckland 1—3 er, our earliest memo- Gillian Glover (née) T rout), Graham band, first his siblings Editorial 4 ries are of a small band Hubber, Hilary Trout Gill and Nick, Richard Roger Trout, David Trout, Nick Trout Chagford refurbishment 5 of ringers who rang for Westcott (Hilary's Letter from 6 services and perhaps at the deanery brother) and Graham Hubber, then in An exile returns—Tim Jones 7 Obituary—Gilbert White 7 festival. the late seventies Bob Hackworthy

Chagford Ringers on Tour 8 Did the team which you lead all learn (Roger's brother-in-law) and Angela Del- News from Whimple 9 together? bridge (Nick's future wife). Jack’s name rings on 10 Sue Ashton (nee Trewin) started learn- 75th Annual Kenn Deanery The bells at Eggbuckland were rehung in Competition 10 1961 and this seemed to inspire a re- ing in 1966 at Lydford, where she was Congratulations 10 cruitment drive from within the church brought up, and joined Eggbuckland in Art of Devon Call-change and the youth club, where the Trout (continued on page 2) Ringing 11 Devon Assn. of Ringers news 11 COPY for “Devon Calls” is always welcome and we rely on you to submit articles please Deadline for next edition- 1st February 2017 We would be very interested in including “Letters to the Editor”. Articles and letters should be sent to the Editor: Colin ADAMS - [email protected] (continued from page 1) the early 80s after she had be enjoyed. In 1971 Dave & married and moved to Hilary started 'going out' Plymouth. Martin Crew together and a shared love of learnt to ring at Tamerton ringing and desire for Foliot and has been the improvement led us to want captain there for many to experience ringing years. He has been a wherever we could, at the member of the Eggbuckland same time encouraging our band since the 1980s. learners to strive for the same As time went by the next thing. As the team improved generation came of age and we began to enter more and it seemed only natural that more competitions. they were taught bellringing When did the team enter its too. During the 90s the first ‘Devon’ competition? tower was full of youngsters From our records we think learning to ring, including that Eggbuckland first entered our own sons Ben and Dan, a 'Devon' in 1974 when the Roger's daughter Hannah qualifier was held at and son Ryan, Bob's Lamerton. We qualified for the children Kevin and Chris, Minor final at Morchard Bishop where we finished 7th the Kerslake boys James and Ben and Nick & Angie's with 75.75 faults! The team at that time was: son Steven. Percy Butland (captain) Who or what inspired the team in the direction of Peter Beer competition ringing? Richard Westcott During the 60s our late captain, Percy Butland, was Gillian Trout always very keen to encourage youngsters to learn and Hilary Trout he would always try and enter teams at all levels in the Dave Trout deanery competition. However it was Roy Varcoe, who By the following year Percy & Peter had retired from rang at Lydford but lived in Plymouth who really ringing and Dave had taken on the captaincy. Hilary introduced Dave to the cut and thrust of competitive became our treble ringer, Arthur Doughty took the ringing. Recognising young talent and enthusiasm Roy second, John Walters the tenor and Dave moved to the encouraged Dave to join him at Lydford on Sundays fifth. This team qualified for the Minor finals in 1975 and they would drive up together, often pausing at the finishing 3rd.

Devon Major Final at Bampton, Saturday 11th June 2016.

Left to right. Angela Trout. Sue Ashton. Steven Trout.

David Trout. Martin Crew. Hilary Trout.

Halfway House at Grenofen on the way home. This By 1976 Richard had left home to go to university and brought Dave into contact with teams in the Tavistock two more 'Trouts' came into the competition team, Deanery, where there was some fierce competitive Nick (aged 15) on the third bell and Roger (slightly rivalry and at the time some very good ringing to older!) took over the tenor. With this line-up the team 2 (continued on page 3) (continued from page 2) were runners up in the 1976 Minor final and went on suggested we both have a "rise, in and out of queens to win it the following year at Lydford with 27.25 and lower" to decide the places. However, having faults. been on the losing end of this tactic at a previous The following year the team qualified for the Devon competition Dave requested that we ring full Major final for the first time. and this was agreed. Happily Eggbuckland had the better , only to discover that the ring off was What was the date and where was the competition actually for second place! The winners were held when the team first won the Ross shield? (Ed - Plymstock, with 17.5 faults, in their final year as a 6 at a guess I would say this was at Dunsford in circa. . 1978). But the proudest moment of all for the tower was The Eggbuckland team were absolutely thrilled to win at the major final at Staverton in 2003 when the Ross shield for the first time, with a peal of 6.5 Eggbuckland A & B finished 1st and 2nd respectively, faults, when the Major final was held at Dunsford on something we believe to be unique in the history of 24th May 1980. the Devon competition. The average age of the team was 24, Nick being the A Hilary Trout B Dan Trout youngest at 18, and the ringers were: Sue Ashton Angie Trout Hilary Trout Martin Crew James Kerslake Gillian Glover (née Trout) Bob Hackworthy Jereme Darke Graham Hubber Dave Trout Ryan Trout Nick Trout Roger Trout Neil Trout Dave Trout Roger Trout Devon is rich in peals both six and eight. Do you have a favourite peal? How many times has Eggbuckland won the Ross There are lots of great bells in Devon but probably shield? Sampford Spiney, South Brent and Broadclyst are At Bampton in 2016, Eggbuckland won the Ross shield among our favourites. for the 25th time. The team members at this time were: How do you see the future of call- Hilary Trout here in Devon? Angela Trout Call-change ringing has played a huge part in our lives Sue Ashton over the last 50 years and has given us both an Martin Crew enormous amount of pleasure. We could not have Dave Trout achieved so much without the loyalty and Steve Trout commitment of our ringers to services, practice nights As you can see, the A team's personnel has changed and competitions. and evolved over the years and about a dozen ringers As the last bastion of call-change ringing in the have been involved in the teams Devon successes, country we can only hope that it continues to thrive in including Bob Hackworthy and Ryan Trout. However, this county for many years to come. The bond of the only person to have rung in all 25 wins is Dave camaraderie is great amongst all bell ringers but (Hilary only being forced to miss one following the probably nowhere is it better than in Devon. birth of our second child by Caesarean section!) Dave & Hilary Trout Are there any occasions that you remember particular well whilst competing in a Devon final? Congratulations to Dave on leading the team on the Obviously our very first win was one of the most 25 occasions that Eggbuckland has won the Ross special Devon finals for us but another unforgettable shield. Congratulations also to Dave’s wife, Hilary, occasion was in 1978 when after ringing in our first who has rung the treble in 24 of the 25 major final at Newton Ferrers, the judges announced competitions. What an outstanding husband and wife that there was a tie and a ring off was required partnership. Finally, congratulations to the whole between Eggbuckland and Down St. Mary. We team on reaching their 25th victory at Bampton during naturally thought this was for first place and nervously this year’s major final. Eggbuckland who will beat gathered with Down St. Mary to decide who would you? Editor ring off first. Tom Wright, Captain of Down St. Mary,

3 Editorial

I want to start by congratulating two teams. First of all board as proof reader. She has worked quietly and Exeter Cathedral. The cathedral ringers won the Devon 8- efficiently alerting us to any typos and grammatical bell competition at St. Saviours’, Dartmouth on Saturday errors. Not only this but she also helps with the packaging 17th September being awarded the Ross shield for the very and distribution of the magazine. Our secretary Margaret first time. Secondly to Ide ringers who won at the annual frequently ventures down from North Devon to Chagford Kenn Deanery Festival held at Bishopsteignton on Saturday to also help with the task of packaging and distribution. It 24th September. For Ide it was at Whitestone back in 1974 is a task which normally takes between 2 – 3 hours when the team were last awarded the Deanery shield; at a (depending whether inserts have to be included or guess I would say this was during the time when either the not). This task is performed 3 times a year and is done in late Fred Delve or George Stevens was the Tower the Gabriel Room at St. Michael’s Church, Captain. So well done to both teams; one a long standing Chagford. Maurice, Daphne and Graham Sharland, Ian method team ringing at a call-change competition and the Avery, Julia Endacott and Victoria our PR Officer also help other a call-change side working hard to regain the as and when they can and I am grateful to them all. reputation which the former team had for quality The quality of the magazine depends upon the articles we striking. receive. I want to thank all those who have taken the The present editorial team have been producing Devon trouble to gather their thoughts, write them down and Calls now for almost three years. Throughout this time we produce an article. Gradually the number of articles have tried to retain some of the features contained in received has increased helping to make the magazine previous issues whilst at the same time trying to make the lively, newsworthy and, I hope, reflective of the world of magazine a little more appealing. The new appearance call-change ringing here in the West Country. My task is to and layout of the magazine would not have been possible ensure the magazine remains open to contributors, is without the expertise of Colin Barnes, from Chagford, our informative, lively and, dare I say, even a little provocative Technical Editor. He has helped to raise the profile of the (errors aside of course). Most of all I want to feel that the magazine by the way in which he sets out the text and content is valid and relevant to the needs of ringers and arranges the photographs. He also has a very keen eye for that each copy is eagerly awaited. No, the magazine detail and quickly spots errors that I overlook. None of us cannot compete with social media for immediacy but what are perfect and the errors which appeared in the last it does ensure is that our history, which at last is being edition are entirely mine. You will have noticed that the written down, is now recorded and archived. Future date on the last edition was given as February which historians enquiring into bellringing may well find they should have been July. Not only this but against the report have a valuable source to delve into. I hope so. of the competition at St. Giles, Kilmington on 28th May a I hope you will enjoy reading this edition and that you will photograph of St. Peter’s, Zeal Monachorum crept in by feel inclined to submit something for the next. We would mistake. The final draft was left for me to proof read so like always to achieve 16 pages, but only 12 in this edition. there really is no excuse. Thank you to those people who Let us know not only what is happening at your tower but so tactfully pointed this out. even anything ringing-wise that may be discussed down at In thanking Colin I also want to thank Julia, Julia Endacott I the pub following practice. Help us to build on the mean. It was Julia who put me in touch with Colin when I excellent work of our predecessors. In doing so you will be indicated at the AGM in November 2013 that I would be playing a part in the ongoing task of recording the history prepared to give Devon Calls a try. From which point of call-change ringing as it is practiced here in this introductions were made and a production team began to wonderful county of ours. emerge. Elinor D’Albaic, also from Chagford, came on Best wishes, Colin Adams

4 Chagford Bells Refurbishment - progress report

The bells are now at Taylor’s of Loughborough. According to plan the work to lower the bells started on Monday 22nd Au- gust 2016. Andrew Ogden, bell hanger from Taylors, was as- sisted by five local volunteer labourers of whom four worked throughout the week augmented to five for the last day. By the time Andrew was able to arrive form Loughborough, the traffic having been very heavy, the local team had already opened two trap doors, removed the ropes and clappers, and split four of the wheels. After all the preparatory work the ten- or was lowered to the ground floor on Wednesday 24th and all were down by the end of Thursday 25th. Friday 26th August was a big day for us. From 7.0am the area was cordoned off and bells were taken out of the West door and wheeled on a trolley round to the South Porch. There, at 9.15am a photocall was held with the bells standing hoisted by crane onto the lorry. After all was secure the lorry in order as had happened in 1914 when the old bells were then left for Loughborough at about noon. After clearing up all then went off, after a strenuous week’s work, for the Bank Holiday weekend leaving the frame to be removed the following week. This was a much greater task then anticipated - the bellhanger from Taylors and 4 - 6 volun- teers worked throughout Tuesday to Friday finishing at 7.0pm. It was also found that the rot in the old wooden frame was much more extensive than had been thought so there would have been no option but to replace it. The right decision had been taken. So now we await the installation of the new cast-iron frame and the rehanging of the bells from their new shiny red head- stocks in January 2017. Until then no bells for services and no 26th August 2016 © Chris Chapman hourly striking of the clock!! Rededication of the bells by the Bishop of Exeter is planned for 1st April 2017 – please put the date in your diary as there will be “Open Tower” ringing in the taken to Loughborough for recasting. This was all watched by a afternoon. large number of local residents and visitors and many, many An archive of this project is being prepared to include an photos were taken. account of the history of the bells, photos and drawings of the The flat bed lorry old oak frame, photos of the work in progress and acknowl- had arrived and edgement of all the generous help and support we have re- the bells were ceived. pushed, one by one on the trolley Julia Endacott Colin Barnes up the slope to Tower Captain Appeal Chairman Cross Tree by a team of men where they were Tenor Bell

For comparison 1914

The bells being removed for transportation to Lough- borough then for recasting. The number 8 bell bears the inscription

This peal was being recast when the Great European War broke out—1914 C. G. Hayter-Hames, T. Amery Churchwardens

5 ‘And with your wrist through a loop in the rope?’ some- A Letter from Australia body else chimes in. ‘And ringing half-way down?’… “You’ve visited Devon then?” I’ll say. ‘I rang at Bovey hen you asked me to write a letter from Austral- Tracey and Widdecombe in the Moor’ one lady tells W ia I thought, ‘A letter. Crikey. I didn’t write a me. “Did you enjoy it?” I asked her. ‘Oh NO, I was letter since -e mail came on the scene.’ It was a kind invi- terrified! There were trophies everywhere, from wall to tation though. I’m lucky to return to the U.K. once a wall.’ she exclaimed. year and when I come home I’m always made very wel- We all know that feeling don’t we? come. So it’s nice to be offered the opportunity to say When people tell me their stories, it seems to me hello to far away friends. that even here, on the other side of the world, there’s Friends always ask me about living here in Australia. bit of a special mythology around Devon Ringing. When Some things are similar, some different. But I think the I arrived for a job some years back, ringing was certain- thing that continues to impress me most of all are the ly an ‘in’. Yes, I’ve had to get to grips with the scientific distances. If you want to go visiting a few towers out stuff. But by and large, despite towers all being here, then you’ve got to be ready to travel a few miles. ‘method’ oriented, I’ve found people are very keen to A month ago I took that opportunity. I left my home on give our old ways a go. the coast of Victoria - the bottom right hand corner of What strikes me is once people have had a go, they the country – in the morning. At 7pm I arrived in Or- tell someone else about it. They tend to come back for ange, New South Wales. After 9 hours driving I was still more as well. ‘Call us some more of those spaghetti in the bottom right hand corner. Even so,I’d covered changes will you’, one elderly gent said to me at a more than 500 miles in a north-easterly direction! branch practice. He was talking about the 8-bell peal. It’s good to take in the changing scenery on a drive More recently I heard the president of the Australia & like that. From coastal Victoria where I live, up into the New Zealand Ringing Association say he thought that it higher ground of New South Wales you can see wine- would be ‘good if more people were to try closed hand- growing country giving way to cow and then sheep stroke ringing’. I nearly fell over. land. The vegetation turns from grey to lush green and Personally, I think Devon ringing makes sense to then the dry yellows of the low mountain ranges. These people out here. I say this because of something that are old mountains, great rocky tables that sit heavy and unites many call change ringers and the Aussies in gen- dark under massive skies. eral. I’m talking about the value of competition. If there Despite the scenery, the last hour of my journey was a were a blue arsed fly and a green arsed fly climbing up bit nail-biting. When the sun sets, animals the size of a window in a pub, the Aussies could get excited about 6-month-old calves tend to start bounding across the it. There’s a fair few who’d put some money on the road. Kangaroos! They look friendly enough until you event. hit one. Imagine a little herd of Ruby Reds hopping I’m gradually going around, trying to build more en- over the fence onto the A30, and then bouncing along- thusiasm for proper call changes. But I reckon it could side your car… that’s what roos do. be this competitive side that offers a real draw card for The 18-wheel trucks are another issue altogether. If people here. We’ll see. driving out here is a new experience, then towers are a I’ll write again. It’s not so hard once you’ve started is bit different also. ‘Old’ is 1900, ‘really old’ is 1850. it? I’m off to ring the Swan Bells in a few weeks, the Nevertheless, what might be missing in terms of history ring of 16 that I’m sure you know as the bells that used is made up for in terms of vision and enthusiasm. In to hang at Saint Martin in the Fields. I’ll let you know recent years, the Aussies have kept installing new sets how that goes. of bells in their little brick churches. New installations are normally light - 6 or 7cwt at most - but they’re All the best, hanging them with a bit of finesse, and they sound and Robin Canniford go very well indeed. The Aussies like to keep it social as well. You have to A potted version of Robin’s ringing career. when your nearest neighbours are over an hour away. My Dad took me ringing when I was about eight years So when you turn up at a new tower the question is - as old. I gave up as a teenager but started ringing again ever – ‘where are you from then?’ Here distance comes ten or so years ago with Monkleigh, Frithelstock and to the fore again. Sometimes people will have turned Torrington, where John Down stood with me and put up from a tower 2000 miles away! me right. I moved to Australia for work, but ringing I’ve been here 6 years now, but still no Aussie remains my link with home and I enjoy visiting whenev- accent. So when I show up for a practice and people er I can. ask where I’ve come from they normally say, ‘Yea mate, but where are you really from?’ So I’ll tell them, and Thank you Robin for providing us with such a fasci- then they begin to tell their own stories. nating glimpse of what life is like living down under. ‘Oh do you ring with a coiled rope?’ asks someone. Editor 6 An Exile Returns!

I learned to ring in Wiltshire as a young teenager and have continued to ring ever since. But what gives me the most satisfaction has always been to achieve the best possible striking, however apparently simple the changes.

So when I got a job in Devon it was natural to link up with the call change fraternity – at Dawlish briefly, then Whitestone and Alphington in the late 1970s, and Plym- tree and Cullompton in the 1980s. This was when the late Tim ringing at David Trist and I became great friends; he was teaching a Carhampton young team at Uffculme while I was doing the same at Cullompton.

Because of ringing at Cullompton, Margaret and I got fully involved in the excellent church there, and it was then that I felt called to ordination. Without bellringing I fear that my Christian faith and calling may have got sub- merged by all the other pleasures and cares of life!

So began my long period of exile from 'proper' ringing… but I did ring wherever I was in ministry – curate in Sussex for five years, country vicar in Herefordshire for fifteen (where we got a new ring of 6 installed at one church), then my present job as vicar of St James, Taunton for the last ten years.

Really good is fantastic – but so rare!! It takes a really competent team such as you only really get in the big cities; so my own experience has been of very indifferent quality of ringing, though performed by lovely and sincere people. St. John the Baptist, Carhampton, Somerset

Then David Trist died… and through being given the sad privilege of conducting his funeral last year I was reintro- duced to the lovely Devon call change ringers. Thank you David! It is only a pity I didn't do it earlier…

Anyway I am so pleased that I have been welcomed by the Exminster team, and I try to join their Thursday practice whenever church commitments allow. It feels like a return 'home'. Thank you Colin and all the team – and to all oth- ers I have met. I hope I don't mess up too many competi- tions. God bless you all. (Revd.) Tim Jones Vicar of St. James, Taunton St. James, Taunton

Obituary We are sorry to hear that Gilbert White (brother of Fred from West Down) passed away last August. Cremation took place in Sussex. A short service followed by interment of ashes is to be held at St. Calixtus Church, West Down on Thurs- day 20th October 2016 (time to be announced). Gilbert learnt to ring at West Down and rang there regularly until moving to Sussex. He remained an enthusiastic supporter of Devon call-change ringing and frequently came to Devon in support of the Association’s competitions. We send our condolences to Fred and his family.

7 CHAGFORD RINGERS ON TOUR 2016: A TRIBUTE TO 25YEARS OF AUNTIE’S (JULIA ENDACOTT’S) ARMY ‘Tis twenty five years since our story began, The next bells at Newent were less good we found, When Auntie and Paul hatched a true cunning plan, The ceilings were low, made our troubles abound, We’ll take all our ringers away on a tour, We rang them, and rang them, till we’re fit to drop, We’ll do it, says Auntie, we’ll ring some, and more! It’s lunch now, says Auntie, Who seemed glad to stop. So off to the Isle of Wight we all did go, Our Devon style ringing we made sure to show, Lugwardine bells were the next of the day, We raised them, we lowered them, we made those bells , An eight that were better, so here we did stay, We loved it, said Auntie, we had a great time. The door was unusual, guillotine style, It’s hot here, says Auntie, makes ringing a trial. So where are we going to next, we all said, Then back into Hereford, looking up high, We looked at the maps, and we scratched of our heads, Cathedral towers seem to stretch into the sky, But soon we were travelling, near far and wide, Met at the bottom, we looked up the stairs, If there’s bells there, says Auntie, there’s nowhere to hide! I’m worried, says Auntie, ‘bout going up there. And this year we reached to the heights of our fame, Hereford Cathedral, 200 steps to its name, First it was fifty, one hundred came next, We wanted to go there, so off we did set, The steps seemed to multiply, we were perplexed, We’ll ring there, says Auntie, I’ll climb those steps yet! Two hundred surmounted, our breath it came fast, I’ve made it, says Auntie, I’ve made it at last! Our coach arrived early, at Chagford by six, Ten bells here to ring, and a challenge indeed, Picked up all our friends, and soon got up to tricks, We knew they would test us, our skills we would need, With laughing and teasing, we’re off on our way, We pulled off, quite anxious, but soon we were there, What’s that noise? says Auntie, it’s Janet, we say! We’ve done it! says Auntie, a privilege rare. We cross o’er the river, and head into Wales, And chat over breakfast, exchanging our tales, Saturday night was a time to unwind, Then Magor is calling, first tower of the day, To eating and drinking we all set our minds, Get ringing, says Auntie, now’s no time to play. A dinner together, then singing we led, It’s late now, says Auntie, and time for my bed. A light little six ‘neath the chancel were set, It was up again early on Sunday for all, We rang of our best and the challenge was met, Bags packed on the coach, and then ringing did call, By now we were hungry, or p’raps thirsty for some, We hoped for an easy tower, hopes were in vain, Don’t tarry, says Auntie, there’s more ringing to come. A struggle, said Auntie, don’t come here again. Abergavenny was rainy and wet, The pub was inviting, our fate it was set, Hampton Bishop had new ropes, but no band to ring, The steps seemed much higher, the climb it was long, So we fought with the stretch, and the draft, and the spring, I told you, says Auntie, that beer was too strong. Group photos were taken, we smiled in the sun, These bells, grimaced Auntie, were really no fun. The ten bells were glorious, hummed with renown, We needed our lunch, so a pub we did try, We set them a-calling far over the town, A beautiful setting, down close to the Wye, And when we were finished, back into the rain, We ate and we chatted, and speeches were made, I loved those, said Auntie, we’ll come here again! Thank you! said Auntie, her medal displayed. With hills all around us, and orchards and trees, We drove to the next tower, relaxed and at ease, St Mary de Crypt was our last chance to chime, The place, Ewyas Harold, and out came the sun, We made it to Gloucester in plenty of time, A nice six, says Auntie, we’re bound to have fun. The bells here were lovely, we rang a fine peal, Success here, says Auntie, and now home I feel Next it was Peterchurch waiting for us, We’re greeted with tea and cake straight off the bus, Our thanks went to Karen, for all she had done, The church was remodelled, with arches and light, And also to Merv – they were second to none, I’ll stay here, says Auntie, these Welsh cakes – just right All had gone smoothly, with never a doubt, By now we were flagging, the days end was near, Teamwork, says Auntie, is what it’s about. We headed to Hereford, and our hotel here, Home now at Chagford, the friends did depart, We checked in, we unpacked, we all had a shower, Sad all was over, but full of good heart, I’ll see you, says Auntie. down here in an hour. And now we’re a’planning, oh never you fear, We’ll do it, says Auntie, we’ll do it next year! For all hungry ringers, the meal was a treat, Clare Griffiths A buffet was laid out, as much as you’d eat, With wining and dining, the night soon wore on, Be careful, says Auntie, tomorrow is long. We all meet at breakfast, and still it does rain, I’m running the morning tower, Stuart complains, But no-one believes him, the bells will be fine, Come on now, says Auntie, we’re leaving at nine.

Ross on Wye bells were the best of the tour, A beautiful heavy eight we did adore, We rang them, and rang them, and ran out of steam, I love these, says Auntie, they go like a dream. 8 News from Whimple

himple did ring for the Queen's 90th on Saturday 11 W June at noon. I artfully extended the Queens Peal by 30 changes to make 90 in all, which I thought appropriate. The band was - Liz Silk (treble), Lis Roberts, Jill Horsman, Dy Beedell, Christopher Brown, and me (tenor, cond). I think it took us 35-40 minutes. It was also the day of our church fete and so there were many villagers out and about who would have been more aware of the bells than usual. It was gratifying that I received several favourable comments and enquiries about "Were we ringing for the Queen?" and "...nice bells today.." I think it generally contributed to a St. Mary’s, Whimple convivial day of enjoyment and 'specialness' altogether. swopped the back pair and then hunted the treble for three How the Queen’s Peal became 90 leads while half hunting the fifth then the third...I think. That was the plan anyway! But notwithstanding, the striking When I first came to ring at Whimple, Call Changes were a was good and the rhythm satisfying so it sounded good and relaxing way of ringing. Someone else does all the hard we all enjoyed it. At just over 40 minutes it was the longest work and I just fall into place. Of course that doesn’t take duration any of our ringers have done at one stretch so com- into account precision striking nor the novelty of closed mendations to them. leads! As time has rolled on I find myself in the position of having to do the calling. In the ringing chamber there was a Whimple in a rolling ring - Ringing for England hardback folder with sequences of calls printed on cards in large and emboldened print protected under laminate film. Perhaps you’ve heard of the Rolling Stones? Well, I can reas- So I had plenty of material to work with. However, this cre- sure you that a Rolling Ring bears no resemblance! I first ated two questions immediately. Did they go from top to heard of it in an e-mail forwarded to me by a branch secre- bottom or left to right? Starting from Rounds, thatan- tary who thought I might be interested. Apparently it was swered itself immediately. The second question was more an idea that emerged in Bristol - a city with a good number teasing - how could I check everyone was in the right place? of ringable towers, and many in close proximity. Several I decided I needed to learn something of how these rows towers rang throughout the day, one after the other to mark were put together. Quite by coincidence, while browsing St George’s Day. Following that beginning, another year Bellringing web sites on a different matter, I stumbled upon Colchester got all the city towers ringing on the day. It was the Whiting Society and their output of booklets about Bell- fun and a tremendous achievement. This year the idea was ringing. One that caught my eye was ‘Ringing Down ‘ere’. put out that perhaps an entire District or Guild might try it, When it arrived it was immediately a solution, with chapters and that is where our story starts. I talked it over with our setting out clearly the different ways one might structure a ringers to see what they thought and receiving a positive call change peal and how the length might be varied. It response discussed preferred times. The local proposal was touched on musical rows, true and false sequences and the that we should claim half - hour slots. Whimple found popular compositions on six and eight bells. It became my midday most convenient and put in our bid, with a second homework for the next few months. Being now a bearer of option for later in the day. So it was that eventually I somewhat aged brain, it takes me a while to grasp these received a running order showing Whimple to ring from 1.00 things and I am prone to forget where I’m going, and which - 1.30pm. bits I’ve done. However it does provide me with another Many of the towers in East Devon took part, but of course dimension to my ringing. So how does this impact on the because the geography is so great it would not be possible Queen’s 90th birthday? Well it was a question of what to for people listening to hear the bells ringing round as it ring? Clearly we all wanted to mark the event. The immedi- would be in a city, but still good to have been part of the ate thought was the queens peal, but this is 60 changes isn’t great effort. it? Should we not attempt 90 changes (or rows)? Are any of The morning kicked off with the bells of Combe Raleigh at my cards 90 changes long? I didn’t know. I am still some- 9 o’clock in the morning and ended with Awliscombe from what confused between the Devon peal, the Queens peal 7.30 till 8 o’clock in the evening. I know that some sixteen and 60 on thirds! My Whiting Society tutor would suggest towers took part, each commencing when their immediate there is a difference between at least two of them. In the forerunner ended. I understand that some towers rang end I decided to compromise and concoct a mixture of the twice and bands formed and reformed to fill as much of the queens peal, which is on a card and so made calling secure time as possible, but however the arithmetic of time works because we ring it for weddings and everybody knows it, out twenty three towers were requested and none declined and an extension by way of a ‘back through’ set to add an- Can one hear Lympston’s bells at Topsham or Exmouth, and other thirty changes. That way we achieved the queens peal vice-verse; or what about Exmouth’s at Kenton or and 90 all in one go. You know that ‘queens’ refers to a se- Exminster? Can you think of any nub of villages or towers quence of bells but our villagers don’t! So its really good where something of the like might work? when I tell our folk that their village marked the day with Roger Algate, the 90 changes of the Queen’s peal. Technically I digressed Tower Captain, Whimple. from the card a row before it comes back to queens,

9 duplicates, one of which, and I am very grateful, came from Jack’s Name Rings On !!! Harry Bardens and two that I already had in store. New leather handles and caps, together with replacement internal fittings, few years ago I was approached by Jack Rhymes about a including clappers etc., were all supplied by The Whitechapel set of that he wanted to sell. None of Jack’s A Bell Foundry of . Modern Whitechapel handbells have family were interested in them and as the set were in a poor the same profiles as the earlier Warner bells and their parts state of repair he thought it best to turn them into cash. I say match perfectly. The set took some time to restore, many poor state of repair lightly, they had hung on the outside of the hours were spent, particularly in cleaning and polishing the porch in Jack’s home at Cresswell, West Alvington for many castings. One has to be careful as too much polishing can affect years and it was only when one had dropped to the ground the actual note of the bell. However, after getting rid of the after the leather handle had rotted away that he decided to do grime that had accumulated after years outside in the porch!!! something about them. I remember buying the bells over the Their true bellmetal finish came through together with their phone after the usual lovely long conversation with Jack and rich tone. Harry Bardens, from Bigbury very kindly delivered them up to After restoration we used the set ourselves at Lamerton for our Festival that year – Harry and Ellen being regular Change Ringing but my real intention was to move them on to visitors. someone else who was also interested in change ringing. This As I said the bells were in a sorry state, two had cracks and one came out of the blue in the summer of 2016 when Delphine had a hole in the waist. All the fittings were either worn or Gould and her Handbell Team at Plympton wanted a separate missing and major refurbishment was necessary. However, the set of bells for change ringing. Delphine, husband Pat and set were an interesting one. They were an octave of 8 bells in grandson Ryan paid us a visit and after a couple of peals and the key of C Major cast by John Warner and Sons of instruction on our style of ringing, this lovely little octave went Cripplegate, London during the Mid Victorian period. Nothing off to their new home. What is nice is that the Plympton Team unusual about that – Warners cast thousands of sets during are regular visitors to our Annual Handbell Festival at Lamerton their period at their Crescent Foundry. What perhaps is unusual and we will certainly be hearing the set again. The bells are also is that they were tuned to modern international pitch. Quite staying in South Devon which is something that Jack would standard today but perhaps different in those days. That is to have been pleased about as well. say that their strike notes and overtones would match a new So Jack’s name still rings on in South Devon Ringing circles!!!! set today. The three broken castings were replaced by Warner Geoffrey C. Hill (Lamerton) 75th Annual Kenn Deanery Competition excellent effort from a team that has only been regularly et another milestone in the history of the Kenn Deanery. ringing together in the last 3 or 4 years and not entered any Y The 75th annual Competition was held on Saturday 24th other competitions. September at Bishopsteignton. The first competition after the A Section Ide won the A Section. Again an excellent effort restoration work by Nicholsons’ on their bells. The ringers and and result from a team that has not won a competition for their helpers provided an excellent venue and teas during the many years. Simon Tucker and his two sons form part of this competition. aspiring team. The competition was held in 3 sections; The Kenn Deanery holds regular Evening Ringing events each month visiting all the towers in the Deanery on their own  Novices [ 5 minutes of judged ringing, both rounds and practice night over a 18 month period. There are over 150 the Queens peal ] ringers ringing regularly across the Deanery’s 18 towers.  B Section [ 60 on thirds of the stay ] Unfortunately Bridford still has no team.  A Section [ full 60 on thirds peal ] During the past year the Deanery has made grants from its Results: funds to Bridford for 3 new bell ropes [3 others were given by Novices Alphington won both Sections. their PCC members], and Powderham 2 ropes. B Section Doddiscombsleigh won the B Section. An John Staddon Belated Birthday Greetings to Barry Congratulations Osborne of Lamerton. to Stuart and Nicola (née Stoneman) Bennie Barry celebrated his 70th birthday on Sunday 5th on their marriage on June 2016. 76 people attended his party which 1st October 2016 at Sampford Courtenay was held at the West Devon Club, Tavistock. Barry announced that he did not want to receive gifts but any donations received were to be split between Diabetes UK and Lamerton church. A total of £450 was raised and divided between the two organisations.

Congratulations - to our PR Officer Victoria and her husband Simon Tucker on the birth of their son Jeremy James Simon. Jeremy was born on 22nd July 2016 at Derriford Hospital weighing 8lb2oz. Mother and baby are doing well. Little Ellie now has a baby brother to care for. 10 The Art of Devon Call Change Ringing Ottery St Mary, 24th Sept 2016

t may not have been an obvious topic for the Devonshire Graham Sharland, Chairman of the Devon Association of I Association Music Section to embrace but, by the end of Ringers, followed with a technical description of the bells the afternoon, these Devon musicians, singers and ringers and the musical patterns. Helped by Jon, a projector and a realised they shared more of a common heritage than they very impressive visual aid bell, Graham took us through the had imagined. This joint event with the Devon Association stages of ringing a peal and the changes that alter the order of Ringers had the perfect venue, in front of the bells in the in which the bells ring. Then the real fun, a team of 6 of the large open heart of St Mary's Church, Ottery St Mary. It most skilled ringers from various Devon towers, rang a “60 began with old friends united – one-time-ringer become on thirds” competition peal, as Graham projected the tune singer Paul Wilson introduced Jon Bint one time singer onto the screen and highlighted the call changes as the become ringer. bells changed position. The significance of the tenor bell Jon laid the foundation for the afternoon by describing always being steady at the back and, in this case, the treble the origins of the Southwest form of ringing, the divergence moving up and down along the line was well demonstrated of the now more common Method or Scientific ringing, and and the audience was left mesmerized by the event. the social history that surrounded these events. He The third component of the afternoon, Paul Wilson and characterized the Change Ringing of Devon and Round Marilyn Tucker singing songs inspired by bellringing Ringing of Cornwall as a folk art, passed on by aural tradition, was now even more intriguing. Paul pointed to tradition and practical experience, contrasting it with the the way the arrangement of the Devon Bellringing song book-learnt Method ringing as rung in the rest of the mimicked the call changes, with a tenor note steady at the country. He explained the simple changes of the Devon end; how the voices in "The Torrington Ringers" followed ringers where 3 adjacent bells change places, contrasting it descending scales; how the Egloshayle ringers reflected the with the complexity of changes that can be achieved in traditions of prize ringing, about which we had heard earlier Method ringing. He traced the history of the diverging from Jon; and, among the harmonies, there were choruses traditions, particularly the period when church reformers to join in with. sought to expel unwelcome “socializing” from the privacy Then the finale: a Devon Cream Tea (and tasty extras) of the bell loft. With this came the moves to stop provided by members of St Mary's Mothers' Union. Here competitive bellringing (with rewards of beer) and the the Devon audience, singers and musicians could relax and undercurrent of snobbery that ridiculed rural ringers. Then, enjoy discovering there really was a lot they had in more recently, the period of reconciliation and common. convergence in which he (Jon) shared ringing techniques Alan Rosevear with friends in the Midlands. Finally, he characterized the Secretary, Music Section of the Devonshire Association present styles as being like two streams of music, such as Kathy Wyke classical and jazz, each having great merit, one formal the other more improvised. Devon Association of Ringers

Annual General Meeting

Saturday 12th November 2016 at 2.15pm Town Hall, North Tawton

Devon Ringers’ Carol Service Saturday 10TH December 2016 at 3.00pm Buckfast Abbey

Devon Calls

Article & letters should be sent to the Editor: Colin ADAMS - [email protected]

11 MUSICAL HANDBELL RESTORATION

Free written quotations Specialised repairs by: Geoffrey C. Hill